I’m currently in a state of shock about going back to school. It’s the end of August already? Didn’t summer just start like…yesterday?!

Although I shall dearly miss my tan and my parents’ cooking, I can‘t wait to go back to school shopping. I just love buying lots of empty white notebooks, fresh pens, and let’s not forget – as many clothes as my paycheck will allow.

Clothes are the fun stuff, but you will also need the basics to get you through the term. Here are some important items to help you have a great year!

1. Furnishings. Cute sheets, matching curtains, a rug, and kitchenware: the list goes on and on. (Editor’s Note: You might want to invest in a nice lamp.)

by EvelynGiggles

2. A planner. Was that theology paper due on Tuesday? Is the toga party this Friday? Having a place to organize assignments and social activities is vital, or you might be show up to Theology class in a toga. No thanks.

3. School supplies. There’s nothing like heading off to class on the first day with a book bag filled with pencils (before everyone around you “borrows” yours) and fresh white sheets of notebook paper just waiting to be filled up with knowledge and doodles.

4. Books. Going to the bookstore and watching my bank account dwindle as I buy hundred-dollar textbooks that I’ll read once has always been an expensive part of my checklist. Luckily, now that I’ve discovered BookRenter, I can spend way less money for the same textbooks by renting them instead!

5. Backpack…or something to carry your textbooks and laptop in to class. Serena discovered some of the coolest backpacks out there this fall, so you have no excuse to forget your books at home.

6. A Back to School mindset. Remember that you’re actually going to school to learn, and get ready to do some studying. Check out Tiana’s tips for getting into a school state of mind. Also, prepare yourself for frat boys, ex-boyfriends, and loads of homework. On the bright side, you can look forward to being reunited with your besties, actually taking an interesting class or two, and just college in general. Best four years of our lives, anyone?

We value the diverse voices and fresh ideas that our guest bloggers bring to BookRenter.com. However, the ideas and opinions expressed in guest posts are strictly those of the post’s author and don’t necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of BookRenter.Com. The information in guest posts is often drawn from a variety of sources, and we count on our guest authors to verify and fact-check the content they post. BookRenter.Com makes no claims, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of guest post content or the suitability of the content for a specific purpose.

by Guest Blogger Serena Piper / check out her last post on the coolest backpacks ever

We all know the traditional advice often doled out to those who are college-bound: take a tour of campus before school starts so you know where your classes will be; allow plenty of studying time so you aren’t pulling all-nighters before a big deadline; join a club or two; make new friends – the list goes on.

But when it comes to my own experience, this list leaves something to be desired. Here are the top five things I wish someone had told me before I started my freshman year.

1. Start off slowly. Some students think they absolutely have to start out their first year taking 16 credits or they’ll fall behind and not graduate on time. This is a myth. It’s perfectly okay to take fewer credits your first term. It gives you time to adjust to your new routine, get a feel for how things are done at the college level, and make some new friends. I suggest taking at least two classes just so you can see how you’ll manage your time, especially if you know you’ll have a part-time job or other commitments during the school year. But definitely don’t overwhelm yourself your first term.

by University of Innsbruck

2. Don’t take no for an answer. For example, if you don’t get into a class you want right away, talk to the professor, get on the waitlist, and find out when it will be offered again. Just because a class is full when you go to register for it doesn’t mean that’s the final word. Show that you’re interested because the more effort you put in, the more you’ll get back.

3. Rent your textbooks instead of buying them. Students generally buy their textbooks from the campus bookstore, but it’s often easier and definitely cheaper to rent your books (hello, BookRenter!). Paying big bucks for a book that I couldn’t sell back at the end of the term? Been there, done that, too many times – and I have a pile of textbooks I’ll never need again to show for it.

by Thai Nguyen

4. When it’s party time, keep your head on straight (and don’t let a future employer catch you out on Facebook). It may be a stereotype, but students like to party, and there can be a lot of pressure to drink in college. If you know drinking’s not for you, don’t waste your time trying to change yourself so that you fit in. There are plenty of other things to do on the weekends, like playing ultimate frisbee in the dark, taking a day trip to a nearby city, or doing an art project with your roommates. If you do like to drink when you go out, be safe. For example, many colleges offer a late-night campus shuttle service so that no one has to drive home drunk. Whether you drink when you go out or not, though, keep your head on straight. You don’t want a potential employer or grad school admissions officer to stumble on any crazy Facebook photos three or four years from now.

5. Call your parents. Yes, even if you aren’t homesick. Parents can give you a different perspective on things and remind you of where your focus should be. They know you in a way that no one else ever will, and when you’re away at school, this can be very comforting. Not only did I call my mom when I was homesick, but I also called her when I was feeling ill and needed some OJ, or when I wanted to know how long I should broil the acorn squash I was fixing for dinner. Just don’t let all their advice get to you. There are still times when I feel like I have to do what my mom or dad suggests, but later, when I do things my way, everything turns out just fine.

It’s normal to feel a little anxious about starting college. Take things one day at a time and give yourself time to adjust. Besides, whatever you don’t figure out beforehand, you’ll learn on your own, and someday it will make for a great story!

We value the diverse voices and fresh ideas that our guest bloggers bring to BookRenter.com. However, the ideas and opinions expressed in guest posts are strictly those of the post’s author and don’t necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of BookRenter.Com. The information in guest posts is often drawn from a variety of sources, and we count on our guest authors to verify and fact-check the content they post. BookRenter.Com makes no claims, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of guest post content or the suitability of the content for a specific purpose.

The day when it’s time to pack your bags and return to campus always seems to come a little too soon.

by Guest Blogger Tiana Bouma

Summer is a welcome and necessary reprieve for college students – a time to leave behind the homework and the late-night cram sessions and get back in touch with the rest of your life. The day when it’s time to pack your bags and return to campus always seems to come a little too soon.

And while leaving friends and family is hard – and giving up the luxury of long, unstructured days even harder – to me the most difficult thing about going back to school is transitioning out of that Summer State of Mind and summoning the motivation that will carry you through the next year.

One of my own secrets? Instead of procrastinating – oh, so tempting – I start the process during the last few weeks of summer. My strategies are simple, but they work for me and you might find they work for you, too:

Don't feel like this guy! by Alexandre Normand

Start incorporating a School State of Mind into your daily routine. Study and review old (or new) course materials or read for fun two hours every afternoon, for example.

Set your alarm clock for the same time that you’ll need to wake up for your first class.

Make a list of the things you need to do before – and after – you get back to campus. I know that this is a no-brainer, but keeping track of your most important tasks and their results will direct your energy forward. (Without a constant reminder, it’s way-y-y-y too easy to spend endless hours on Facebook.)

Set up a study station where you’ll have no distractions. Quiet, secluded library desks are usually a good choice if you can’t study at home. Make sure you have the supplies you’ll need, including note cards, highlighters, and sticky notes for marking important information.

During the first weeks of school, reward yourself for your hard-won motivation by reading a new magazine or grabbing fro-yo with a friend.

On Thursdays, remind yourself that it’s almost the weekend and that you’re only a few hours away from that mini-vacation.

And if you still can’t quite get your mojo back and need help with making the most of your study time, talk to a guidance counselor or find a tutor through your college’s resource center – that’s what they’re there for.

What are your personal tips and techniques for getting yourself into a School State of Mind?

We value the diverse voices and fresh ideas that our guest bloggers bring to BookRenter.com. However, the ideas and opinions expressed in guest posts are strictly those of the post’s author and don’t necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of BookRenter.Com. The information in guest posts is often drawn from a variety of sources, and we count on our guest authors to verify and fact-check the content they post. BookRenter.Com makes no claims, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of guest post content or the suitability of the content for a specific purpose.

In which your inner fashionista learns to rock her wardrobe with savvy combos, pops of color, and oh yes, major attitude.

by Guest Blogger Kelsey Bradshaw / all collages made by Kelsey

In the middle of the summer, with pool parties every night and flip-flop tan lines growing more distinct by the day, the coming of school in the fall seems like a long way off. But with each sun-drenched day, the beginning of the school year creeps closer and closer. Even though this means that dealing with homework and overeager frat boys is also edging closer, there’s one thing I’m super-excited about: back-to-school shopping. The stores in the mall fill up with new clothes, sales start popping up, I realize how much I miss wearing sweaters – it almost makes up for the fact that you have to wear these new clothes to, you know, class. Plus, everyone needs an excuse for a new pair of shoes.

If, like me, you’re feeling kind of bummed about summer’s end and going back to class, there’s no better remedy than a little back-to-campus retail therapy. And if you’ll follow a few simple steps, you can shop your way straight to the head of the class.

Step 1: Buy things that you like and that express your personality. You can’t go wrong if you stick with what you know works for you. Instead of stocking up on [ever-changing, quick-passing] trends, though, pay attention to the classics, too. You’ll be able to wear your new clothes for years to come, not just for a season. Casual or classic, change things up by adding new accessories to old outfits.

Step 2: Mix it up with creative, edgy fashion combos. If your inner fashionista just won’t quit with her demands for something that really rocks, there are lots of ways to have fun with trends this fall. The good news: This year the most popular trends include pieces that are easy to mix with clothes already in your closet to create classic, more timeless looks.

First, try wearing a monochromatic outfit, or wearing one color all the way down. This can range from wearing different shades of bright yellow from head to toe to layering tank tops from the same color family. This trend is an easy one to shop for, since you probably already have different shades of one color in your closet. Keep an eye out for clothes and accessories in colors or patterns that complement what you already have in your closet, or grab a new spectrum of color to layer and have fun with.

Step 3: Master the art of the monochromatic – with a pop of color, of course. Take a neutral, monochromatic outfit and infuse a pop of neon. In fact, the outfit doesn’t even have to be monochromatic, as long as the neutrals don’t overpower the neon. Wearing this look calls for some major attitude, but no problem there, right?

Step 4: Get back to the future. To make sure you get an ‘A’ in back-to-school fashion, invest in some high-waisted shorts. Whether you go for the vintage, 70’s I-just-stole-these-out-of-my-mom’s-closet look or the more preppy style, they’re sure to earn you major fashion points.

Remember, as cute and fashion-forward as you’ll look wearing your new duds, be sure to make them your own and let your natural fabulous style shine through. If you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing, you’ll look fantastic no matter what.

We all know that high school and college are times when what everyone else is doing or wearing has an influence on what you do or wear, even when it comes to backpacks, of all things. The North Face backpacks and stereotypical leather messenger bags are popular choices, but if you’re looking for something more unique, here are the coolest ones I’ve found.

If they seem a little out of your price range, then enter our Summer Snap-off today for a chance to win a $1,000 Back to School shopping spree! Submit up to three of your favorite summer photos, and one of these backpacks could be yours.

1. Buzz Backpacks

If you appreciate design and wearable art, you need to check out the Buzz backpack. These are by far among the nicest looking backpacks around. Shoulder-slung to distribute the weight evenly across your back, they’re made of silk – silk! – and boast plenty of zippered pockets and hidden compartments for pens or a cell phone. They’ll also work for the yoga-goer needing to store a change of clothes, or even as a carry-on for that summer trip to Cancun.

This unique backpack was designed by Davidi Gilad of the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design in Tel Aviv. Made of mesh fabric overlaid by a grid system of three-dimensional polygons, the Meiosis (in biology, a type of cell division) is perfect for heavy toting and might just satisfy the secret fantasy you still harbor – come on, you can’t hide from us – of being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. There isn’t an official release date for this bag, unfortunately, but if you’re really interested, keep your eye out!

3. Voltaic Switch Solar Bag

If you’re a total techie and like to carry around your laptop – or your Kindle, your smartphone, whatever – this bad boy might be your match made in heaven. It will charge all of your electronic gadgets using two solar panels that generate power in sunlight. For example, one hour in sunlight will fully charge your cell phone. Can you say eco-friendly?

A friend of mine bought one of these when she got her iPhone and she gets compliments on it all the time. The wallet has slots for all your credit cards and cash, and snaps closed so you know everything in it is safe and secure. A lot of different stores have these available and they come in a variety of different colors. Check out Amazon first for the best deals.

We value the diverse voices and fresh ideas that our guest bloggers bring to BookRenter.com. However, the ideas and opinions expressed in guest posts are strictly those of the post’s author and don’t necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of BookRenter.Com. The information in guest posts is often drawn from a variety of sources, and we count on our guest authors to verify and fact-check the content they post. BookRenter.Com makes no claims, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of guest post content or the suitability of the content for a specific purpose.